Tropical Storm Milton live updates: Gulf storm forecast to hit Florida as major hurricane: NHC

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Updated  October 5, 2024 5:27pm EDT
FOX 35 Orlando
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ORLANDO, Fl - Tropical Storm Milton is expected to rapidly intensify into a major hurricane before making landfall later this week over Florida, the National Hurricane Center said in its 5 p.m. Saturday update.

A major hurricane is considered a Category 3 hurricane or stronger. A Cat. 3 storm has sustained winds of at least 111 mph on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

NHC models previously had Milton as a Cat. 2 nearing Florida's Gulf Coast, which was already battered by Hurricane Helene.

In its latest update, the NHC said Tropical Storm Milton was 245 miles north of Veracruz, Mexico, and 385 miles west of Progreso, Mexico. 

It has sustained winds of 40 mph. The minimum central pressure is 1006 mb. 

"A slow east-northeastward motion is expected to begin tonight. A slightly faster eastward to east-northeastward motion is forecast by Monday and Tuesday.  On the forecast track, Milton is forecast to remain over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico through Sunday night, then move across the south-central Gulf of Mexico on Monday and Tuesday, and approach the west coast of the Florida Peninsula by midweek," NHC said.

Tropical Storm Milton tracker: Spaghetti Models

How will Tropical Storm Milton impact Florida?

The NHC said Tropical Storm Milton is expected to quickly intensify over the Gulf of Mexico into a hurricane, and may now hit Florida has a major hurricane, potentially a Category 3 storm.

The NHC warns of increasing risks of life-threatening storm surge, hevay rainfall, and flooding, as well as wind impacts for Florida's west coast, and as the storm moves across the Peninsula.  

Heavy rain is expected to impact Florida on Sunday and Monday, ahead of Milton's expected landfall. Additional rain is expected from Tuesday through Wednesday.

Potential risks include flash, urban, and flooding.

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